What is Vedic Meditation?
- GemmaAyurveda
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
“Meditation has the capacity to take us out of mere survival mode and into fully ‘living’ mode.”
Rob, a Vedic meditation teacher from Bristol, has had an interest in meditation since the 90s. He first experienced the “transporting” power of it when he tried it in university. It wasn’t until he moved to New York when his curiosity in meditation grew and he spent his spare time studying and reading books on spirituality and meditation.
In his thirties his interest in meditation and different holistic practices deepened and Rob trained in energy work and Reiki. He had practiced his self-taught meditation for years but decided this was also the right time to get formal meditation training.
“Before I knew it I had a self-taught meditation practice. I would do it every morning without fail. I started to have big experiences and also started to notice changes in myself and in my outlook on things.”
Rob now lives in London and continues his ritual of practicing and also teaching meditation.
“This is the joy of meditation. It’s like putting on a new pair of glasses. We are able to see and experience life in a whole new way - whether it is in Zone 1 in London or somewhere in the middle of nature.”
The benefits of meditation
Some of the most common benefits are an improved quality of sleep, improved concentration, decreased (often significantly) stress and anxiety levels, reduced fatigue, increased energy levels, increased creativity.
“As we start to feel the benefits we may also notice our relationships are also improving. This is a very natural part of the process. We become more balanced and in tune with others as we become more balanced and in tune with ourselves.”
Vedic meditation
In 2017, Rob was first introduced to Vedic meditation. Vedic meditation comes from an ancient, holistic tradition. It is a twice daily practice that allows us to go beyond the activity of the mind and access deep rest. It is a technique specifically designed to balance and recalibrate the nervous system.
When learning Vedic meditation each student receives a unique personalised sound (mantra) that guides the nervous system to a place of rest. It uses an ancient technique of sound healing. The mantra operates at a particular frequency that allows it to access the deepest parts of our physiology. By silently repeating the mantra you are able to access and release stress from your system. As the nervous system begins to normalise, your mind and body can begin to reflect this state of renewed balance.
Rob explains how can people incorporate meditation into their lives
"If you want to learn for long term use and learn how to have, and maintain a practice on a deeper level, Rob recommends finding a teacher who can guide you through the process."
“In looking for a teacher I am a firm believer we can all find the right teacher for us. So put it out there, do some research, talk to people. Follow your leads and open up to it. You might just find the perfect person for you.”
"Some people may just want a simple guided meditation on an app. These can still be beneficial, they just tend to address things at a more surface level. Whichever path you choose, meditation can bring a huge amount of benefits to your mind and body."
“We don’t expect to get physically fit if we don’t exercise. Equally, we can’t expect to see the benefits of meditation if we don’t meditate. So routine is key. And just like the gym, showing up is half the work. Meditation is like our spiritual fitness. We do a bit everyday. And it grows.”
If you wish to learn more about Rob’s work as a Vedic meditation teacher, you can download his course information pack below.
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